Electrical connector for use with flexible printed circuit

Abstract

A Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) connector ( 1 ) includes a housing ( 2 ), a number of contacts ( 3,31 ) received in the housing, an actuator rotatably mounted on the housing, and a shielding ( 5 ) attached to the housing. The shielding substantially surrounds a top surface ( 201 ) of the housing. A number of securing slots ( 500 ) are defined in the shielding and engage with protrusions ( 202 ) of the housing for positioning the shielding on the housing. Grounding tabs ( 501 ) extend from the shielding for mating with corresponding grounding pads of a PCB. The shielding and the grounding tabs extending therefrom can provide EMI protection to the connector. The shielding can also reinforce the strength of the housing.

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
 a printed circuit board (PCB); 
 a flexible substrate; 
 an insulative housing having a plurality of protrusions; 
 a plurality of contacts received in the housing; and 
 a shielding attached to the housing, the shielding including a plurality of securing slots and a pair of grounding tabs, the protrusions of the housing engaging with the securing slots closely, for positioning the shielding on the housing, the grounding tabs mating with corresponding grounding pads of the PCB; wherein
 the securing slots of the shielding and the protrusions of the housing have a substantially “T” shaped configuration; wherein 
 the shielding comprises a plate portion and a plurality of spaced indents defined on the plate portion, the grounding tabs extending from a longitudinal side of the plate portion. 
 
 
   
   
     2. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a main body and a pair of side latches extending from two opposite sides of the main body. 
   
   
     3. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the protrusions are formed on a top surface of the main body. 
   
   
     4. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a pair of grooves is defined on a sidewall of the main body, the grounding tabs partly retained in the respective grooves. 
   
   
     5. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the shielding comprises a pair of clasping portions extending from two opposite sides of the plate portion, the clasping portions surrounding the respective side latches of the housing. 
   
   
     6. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the clasping portions each have a base portion, a clasper extending from the base portion opposite to the plate portion, and a clip extending from the base portion near the plate portion. 
   
   
     7. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprises an actuator mounted on the housing, the actuator comprising a base, a pair of latch blocks formed outwardly on two opposite sides of the base, and a metal sheet longitudinally inlayed in the housing, a pair of ears extending beyond the plate portion from the metal sheet, a locking protuberance formed on a middle portion of each of the ears. 
   
   
     8. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , the clasper of the clasping portions defines a cutout, the protuberance of the actuator locked in the cutout. 
   
   
     9. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
 an insulative housing having a top surface and a sidewall, a plurality of protrusions formed on the top surface; 
 a plurality of contact elements received in the housing; and 
 an outer shielding attached to the housing, the shielding has a plurality of securing slots and a pair of grounding tabs, the protrusions of the housing engaging with the respective slots closely, for positioning the shielding on the top surface of the housing, the grounding tabs extending from the shielding, a pair of grooves defined on the sidewall of the housing, the grounding tabs partly retained in the grooves, respectively, and mating with corresponding grounding pads of a PCB; wherein 
 the securing slots of the shielding and the protrusions of the housing have a substantially “T” shaped configuration; wherein 
 the shielding comprises a longitudinal plate portion and a plurality of spaced indents defined on the plate portion, the grounding tabs extending from a longitudinal side of the plate portion; wherein 
 the housing comprises a main body and a pair of side latches extending from two opposite sides of the main body; wherein 
 the shielding comprises a pair of clasping portions extending from two opposite sides of the plate portion, the clasping portion surrounding the respective side latches of the housing. 
 
   
   
     10. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the clasping portions each have a base portion, a clasper extending from the base portion opposite to the plate portion, and a clip extending from the base portion near the plate portion. 
   
   
     11. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprises an actuator mounted on the housing, the actuator comprising a base, a pair of latch blocks formed outwardly on two opposite sides of the base, and a metal sheet longitudinally inlayed in the housing, a pair of ears extends beyond the plate portion from the metal sheet, a locking protuberance formed on a middle portion of each of the ears. 
   
   
     12. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the clasper of the clasping portions defines a cutout, the protuberance of the actuator locked in the cutout.